Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Molendoa sendtneriana (Bruch & Schimper) Limpricht

Family: Pottiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Anoectangium obtusifolium (Broth. & Par.) Grout
Anoectangium sendtnerianum Bruch & Schimp.
Molendoa obtusifolia Broth. & Par.

Molendoa sendtneriana has a bluish cast above and is tan to bleached below. It is recognized by the lateral rather than terminal perichaetia on the stems, by massive leaf cell papillae, leaves broady grooved along the costae on the ventral surface, and a well developed stem central strand. The leaves are very variable in shape. Molendoa sendterneriana is found under rocky overhangs at middle elevation. Many thanks to Bruce Allen of the Missouri Botanical Garden for identifying this moss for us.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Molendoa sendtneriana (1x macro dry), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 4x macro wet, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 3x macro of lateral perichaetium with some of the main stem leaves removed, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 100x photomicrograph of lateral perichaetium removed from stem, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of face down leaf tip, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of leaf grooved along the costa, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 200x photomicrograph of leaf base, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of strong central stem strand, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of strong central stem strand, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of cross section of distal leaf showing leaf deeply channeled along the costa, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011



Molendoa sendtneriana, 400x photomicrograph of cross section of distal leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Cliff Dweller Canyon, October 1, 2011


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